Ontario Reign Game Preview: Reign "Blackout the Bank" for Game 2 Tonight
May 22, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
Ontario Reign Take on the Lake Erie Monsters
(Ontario Reign)
Ontario, CA - The Ontario Reign, proud American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL), host the Lake Erie Monsters in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals tonight at 7:00 PT at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Reign trail the best-of-seven series, 1-0.
Western Conference Finals - (best-of-seven)
Game 1 - at Ontario 4-3 Loss Box Score Highlights
Game 2 - Sun., May 22 - Lake Erie at Ontario, 7:00 p.m. PT
Game 3 - Tue., May 24 - Ontario at Lake Erie, 4:00 p.m. PT
Game 4 - Thu., May 26 - Ontario at Lake Erie, 4:00 p.m. PT
*Game 5 - Sat., May 28 - Ontario at Lake Erie, 9:00 a.m. PT
*Game 6 - Tue., May 31 - Lake Erie at Ontario, 7:00 p.m. PT
*Game 7 - Wed., June 1 - Lake Erie at Ontario, 7:00 p.m. PT
*if necessary
Blackout the Bank:
Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite BLACK Reign or LA Kings gear to the game!
Game 1 Recap:
Forwards Sean Backman and Nic Dowd each scored a goal and an assist, but the Lake Erie Monsters erased a 1-0 second-period Reign lead and held off a two-goal third period comeback for a 4-3 victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Monsters team captain Ryan Craig finished the contest with a goal and an assist. Box Score Highlights
Budaj Backstopping the Reign:
Reign goaltender Peter Budaj provided 30 saves in Game 1 vs. Lake Erie, a postseason high for the veteran netminder. His previous single-game high was 28 back in Game 1 of the opening-round series against San Jose (eight games in between).
Special Teams Strike:
Forward Sean Backman, who led the Reign in regular-season scoring, netted his first goal of the postseason on the power play in Game 1 vs. Lake Erie and the team finished the game 1-for-2 while the Monsters picked up their playoff-leading 11th man-advantage marker and wrapped up the opening contest 1-for-4.
Werenski Continues to Shine:
With an assist in Game 1, Monsters defenseman Zach Werenski enters tonight's contest on a six-game point streak (two goals, six assists).
Road to Western Conference Finals:
The Reign and Monsters enter the Western Conference Finals for the first time in their histories. The Reign defeated the San Jose Barracuda, three games to one, in the best-of-five opening round while the Monsters swept the Rockford IceHogs. In the Pacific Division Finals, the Reign wiped out the San Diego Gulls, 4-1, and in the Central Division Finals, the Monsters raced out to 3-0 series lead over the Grand Rapids Griffins before prevailing in six games.
Team History:
The Ontario Reign finished their first AHL season in the Inland Empire after the LA Kings' top AHL affiliate moved from Manchester, New Hampshire last summer. With the Reign's appearance in the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, the Kings' top affiliate has now reached the postseason the last seven straight seasons and 13 times in the last 14 years.
The Monsters completed their ninth season of AHL hockey in Cleveland, Ohio and their first as the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL). Over the previous eight seasons, the organization served as the primary affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche (now affiliated with the San Antonio Rampage). The 2016 Calder Cup playoffs marks only the second time in nine seasons that the Monsters have made the postseason and the first time since the 2010-11 campaign.
Broadcast Central
Listen Live: OntarioReign.com; LA Kings Mobile App
Watch Live: AHL Live
Twitter: @OntarioReign
Facebook: OntarioReign
Tonight's Game Notes
The Western Conference Finals shifts to Cleveland, Ohio for Game 3-5 at Quicken Loans Arena. Game 3 is Tuesday, May 24 at 4:00 p.m. PT and Game 4 is Thursday, May 26 at 4:00 p.m. Game 5, if necessary, is Saturday, May 28 at 9:00 a.m. Watch all the action LIVE at The Tilted Kilt in Rancho Cucamonga and tune in to the play-by-play action at OntarioReign.com and the LA Kings mobile app!
2016 Calder Cup Playoff tickets are ON SALE NOW! Grab your favorite seats for all the hard-hitting postseason action as the Reign chase a Calder Cup Championship! Black out the Bank for Game 6, if necessary, Tuesday, May 31 at 7:00 at Citizens Business Bank Arena! Wear your favorite black Reign or LA Kings gear!
2015-16 Postseason Records
Ontario: 7-3
Lake Erie: 8-2
2015-2016 Records
Ontario: 44-19-4-1, 93 points, .684 winning percentage (1st place, Pacific Division)
Lake Erie: 43-22-6-5, 97 points, .638 winning percentage (2nd place, Central Division)
Head Coaches
Ontario: Mike Stothers (2nd season with LA Kings affiliate, 1st with Ontario)
Lake Erie: Jared Bednar (2nd year with Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate, 1st with Lake Erie)
NHL Affiliate
Ontario: Los Angeles Kings
Lake Erie: Columbus Blue Jackets
ECHL Affiliate
Ontario: Manchester Monarchs
Lake Erie: Kalamazoo Wings
Images from this story
 Ontario Reign Take on the Lake Erie Monsters |
American Hockey League Stories from May 22, 2016
- Ontario Reign Game Preview: Reign "Blackout the Bank" for Game 2 Tonight - Ontario Reign
- Reign Fight Back; Fall 4-3 to Monsters in Game 1 - Ontario Reign
- Monsters Claim Game One in Ontario, 4-3 - Cleveland Monsters
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